Forbes May Seek Presidency Gop Candidates Don’t Impress Millionaire Publisher

Millionaire publisher Malcolm S. Forbes Jr. said Saturday he will decide by September whether to seek the Republican presidential nomination, and will pay initial campaign costs out of his own pocket.

Forbes, 47, used an appearance on CNN’s Evans & Novak to outline his stand on a range of domestic and international issues. Faulting the political vision of the current array of GOP candidates and dubbing himself a “progrowth, proopportunity” Republican, Forbes endorsed replacing the present income tax system with a flat tax.

He said he opposes government funding for abortion, performing abortions late in a pregnancy and allowing minors to obtain abortions without parental consent.

He also said the time is near for the United States to extend diplomatic recognition to Vietnam. President Clinton is close to a decision on whether to re-establish full diplomatic relations with the former communist adversary.

Forbes, who succeeded his father, the late Malcolm S. Forbes Sr., as president and CEO of Forbes, Inc., said his candidacy would be based upon his conviction that a unique opportunity exists to improve living standards and quality of life.

He contended none of the other 10 GOP contenders “have given the impression” they understand that.